Why should cats be the only ones with 9 lives to live?

Remember when you were a kid, all the things you dreamed of being when you grew up?

For me, there was my ballerina stage, just so I could get to wear those adorable pink tutus and toe slippers. That was quickly followed by my detective stage, inspired by Nancy Drew.

As an avid reader, I changed imaginary vocations as quickly as I could devour each new book.  After reading about Helen Keller, I wanted to be a gifted teacher like Anne Sullivan.  Margaret Mead inspired me to become a cultural anthropologist. I wanted to be a famous author who hung out on the Left Bank of Paris with Gertrude Stein, or a passionate dancer like Isadora Duncan.

The point is, the sky was the limit in my imaginary world…as long as I did not listen to the dreaded voices of modesty and realism. 

Well, I am here to tell you that it is never too late to latch back on to those childhood dreams.  True, I may never become a famous dancer, but I can certainly find more opportunities to dance in my life.   All it takes is a tad bit of courage, overcoming that fear of perfectionism, and letting it go.  So, in the spirit of reinvention, I have signed up for some NIA classes this winter.  No matter that I have not taken a dance class in 40 years, I have the soul of a dancer and I am going to set it free.

That is what reinvention is all about…getting in touch with our buried passions and finding a way to let them back into our lives.   If you are game, try this simple little exercise.

1.  Thinking back to your childhood, write down all the things you dreamed you would do or be when you grew up.

2. Make a list of all the hobbies, interests or fantasies that you have given up in your real grown up life.

3.  From these lists, choose the top 9 lives you would choose to live if, like a cat, you actually had 9 lives.

4.  For each of the 9 lives, list one thing you could do right now to bring that passion back into your life.  Yes, right now, even if it is just a baby step.

5.  This is the most important step.  Make a commitment to yourself to honor your dreams by following through on step #4.  And enlist a buddy to hold you to it!

There, I told you it would be simple.  Please leave me a comment and let me know what is on your list!